Ship vs independent excursions

[coltsgal1]

I was wondering if you find out the name of the companies the ships contract with for excursions. Many of the descriptions sound similar to independent ones but the ships lists are not named as a company.

We are on HAL early June and looking for a whale watching excursion in Juneau and like the recommendations here on cc but ships sound very similar. Guess we should just pick one but don't want to be on a crowded boat.

[rayliang]

most folks recommends Harv & Marv for Juneau whale watch.

[Skylarr29]

Last time I was in Alaska I booked whale watching independently with Orca Enterprises, I enjoyed it but I would go with an even smaller boat next time. You can feel pretty confident booking independently in Alaska. I've figured out a lot of the tour operators by looking at the photos with the tour descriptions, for example you can see the name on the side of the boat or plane or the colors etc. Then researched from there.

[TallinnGirl]

Some also refer you to the cruiseline to book a tour instead allowing you to book direct which means they are the cruise line's vendor.

[Northern Aurora]

Could you call or e-mail the company you are considering, and ask about the maximum passenger capacity?

[chipmaster]

If you want to avoid big crowds then as a generality need to go private. When you book you can ask them how big a boat, are you sharing boat etc. Less to do with vendor than the specif tour you are booking.

 

We went with Orca, smaller group about 15 folks from 3 parties, YMMV.

 

I was wondering if you find out the name of the companies the ships contract with for excursions. Many of the descriptions sound similar to independent ones but the ships lists are not named as a company.

We are on HAL early June and looking for a whale watching excursion in Juneau and like the recommendations here on cc but ships sound very similar. Guess we should just pick one but don't want to be on a crowded boat.

[Ashland]

There can also be times when a company won't book privately with you as they are contracted with the cruiseline during certain port times...

[cjnky]

You can read this forum from now until doomsday, and you're going to come up with the same two most-recommended vendors over and over - Harv& Marv or Orca. Although I'd never hesitate (from the reviews) to go with Harv & Marv, we went with Orca - and I really felt sorry for those we passed who were on the ship exursion packed like sardines on that boat.